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Guru Rinpoche, which means “The Precious Master”, is also
known as Guru Padmasambhava, Guru Padmakara or the “Second
Buddha” who established Buddhism in Tibet. Lord Buddha
Sakyamuni himself had foretold about Guru Rinpoche in many
Sutras and Tantras. Listed below are some excerpts:
From the Immaculate Goodness Sutra:
“The activity of all the
Victorious Ones of the ten directions
Will gather into a single form,
A Buddha’s son, who will attain marvellous accomplishment,
A Master who will embody Buddha activity
Will appear to the north-west of Oddiyana
(Afganistan-Pakistan frontier).”
From the Tantra of the Perfect Embodiment
of the Unexcelled Nature:
“Eight years after I pass into nirvana,
I will reappear in the Kingdom of Oddiyana,
Bearing the name of Padmasambhava
And will be the Lord of Secret Mantra.”
During the 5th century, on an island in the land
of Oddiyana, a multicoloured lotus flower appeared in Lake
Danakosha through the blessings of the Buddhas. From the
space, Buddha Amitabha generated light rays from his heart
into the bud of this lotus flower, which upon ripening an
amazing child miraculously appeared, adorned with all the
major and minor marks of a Buddha.
As a miraculously born human being, Guru Rinpoche was
endowed with great powers capable of subduing not only human
beings but also spirits and other different types of
non-humans. He stayed in India for approximately a thousand
years and then spent fifty-five years in Tibet. Other places
graced by his presence include Bhutan and Nepal.
The Vajrayana teachings were successfully propagated in this
world as a result of the great realisations and spiritual
powers of Guru Rinpoche. To ensure the completion of Samye
Monastery, the first monastery in Tibet, he tamed the
negative forces, which were creating obstacles. Through his
everlasting compassion and diverse skilful means, he
concealed numerous precious teachings (termas) for
future generations. Tertons prophesied by Guru
Rinpoche would reveal these terma teachings. Even in
recent times, these terma teachings continued to be
discovered, and will go on until all sentient beings attain
Buddhahood.
Towards the end, Guru Rinpoche departed for his pure land,
the Glorious Copper-Coloured Mountain (Zangdodpalri)
situated in the south-western continent. The lower levels of
Zangdodpalri are inhabited by Rakshasas (magical cannibals
spirits), which, according to Buddha Sakymuni, will invade
our earth during the period when the average lifespan of
human beings approaches 20 years. Posing a great danger, the
Rakshasas would subdue and wipe out all human beings. Thus,
maintaining His benevolent activities for the sake of all
sentient beings, Guru Rinpoche resides there to protect our
earth from their harm as well as to benefit the beings
there. Listed below is an excerpt from a song sung by Guru
Rinpoche just before his departure. It was directed at his
disciples who were begging Him to take them along:
“As I now take leave in a miraculous way,
You cannot follow me with your material bodies.
Exert yourself constantly in making supplications,
And you will always be in my presence.”
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